A/N: Thank you all for the awesome reviews. And thanks to my awesome beta: Leeese.
Chapter Seventeen
Haley greeted Peyton and Jake as they came into the house, which both had things in their hands. Jake had a couple of gifts while Peyton had the baby carrier. Haley then gushed over little Ryan. Just as she was about to take him out of his carrier, Peyton stopped her. "You're over your cold completely, right?" she asked her. Her friend nodded. She was then given permission to hold Ryan.
Haley gently picked him up and carried him over to the couch. She sat down as she looked at her godson. She then turned back to his parents. "Before I forget, I have some gifts for you guys underneath the tree," she said, gesturing to her Christmas tree that was in a corner of the room. "I was planning to give them to you before Christmas break, but that didn't work out."
Jake gave her a smile. "We brought your gifts over too," he told her as he showed her the gifts. "Actually, one is for you and one is for Brooke. We heard from Nathan that she was staying with you for the holidays. How is that working out?"
"It's been a little bit of adjustment for the both of us," Haley admitted. "But she's doing well. It helps to have friends next door. In fact, she and Lucas are at the café, helping Mr. Hargrove out right now. So she won't be back for awhile." There was a short pause before she spoke again. "I'm surprised you two are still willing to talk to me. After all, I did get our boss in trouble."
Jake and Peyton exchanged looks before they turned back to Haley. Haley knew that they were hiding something. She gestured them to say it. Peyton then took a deep breath before she spoke. "Well, we've had our suspicions about her for awhile," she finally admitted. "But we didn't want to admit that she could be abusing her daughter."
Haley sighed. "Yeah, I had the same problem. But once I saw the bruises on Brooke, I had to report it. I didn't realize that I would be the one who ended up in jail, but I don't care. I'm willing to do anything as long as Brooke isn't abused by Victoria ever again."
"Well, we're right there with you," Peyton said as she looked at her son in Haley's arms. "We just wish that we spoke up sooner. We could have helped Brooke, but we were in denial."
Before Haley could respond, they heard a knock at the door. "It's open," Haley called, not wanting to disturb a comfortable Ryan. The three adults turned to see Nathan. They exchanged greetings as he instantly walked over to the couch and sat down next to Haley. She gently handed Ryan over to him.
Peyton then pulled out her camera and snapped a few photos before they turned to their gifts. They opened them as Jake and Peyton told them about their holidays with the grandparents. "Ryan was definitely spoiled this Christmas," Peyton said. "I guess I can't blame them. It was the first grandchild for both sets of grandparents. Be warned, Nate. Your baby is going to be spoiled rotten when he or she makes their appearance next summer."
Nathan gave her a wide smile. "I'm looking forward to it," he replied as he rocked Ryan. "I can't wait until my little baby is here." He then let out a heavy sigh. "I just wished that Rachel wasn't being so stubborn about the pregnancy."
"What did she do now?" Haley asked curiously. She had noticed that Nathan didn't even mention Rachel for the rest of the trip. "Is she demanding full custody with no visitation rights for you to see the baby?" She didn't want to assume the worst, but she could tell that Nathan had bad news.
"No, she wants to trade custody of the baby for our house," Nathan said. "But if I give her the house, then Lucas and I would have to move back into our childhood home. And I'm not sure if either of us is ready for that."
Jake frowned. "You never sold your other house?" he asked in surprise. Nathan shook his head. "Why not?"
"Because it's like the café," Nathan replied. "There are too many good memories in it that we weren't ready to let go. Besides, we both love that house. I was planning on surprising Lucas with the house when he graduated college, but it looks like we're going to have to change plans."
"You would think that she would be happy with just the club," Peyton said. "But I guess she has to have something to bargain with against you. I'm surprised that she wasn't pushing you to give her money."
Nathan nodded. "Yeah, I know. That was what I thought she wanted, but she wants the house."
"So what are you going to do?" Jake asked.
Nathan was quiet for a moment as he looked down at a sleeping Ryan. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to get custody of my baby," he replied.
A couple of hours later, Jake and Peyton left without Ryan. Haley had convinced them that it was time for her to spend some time with her godson without his parents. So he was staying at her house for the night. Nathan then volunteered to baby-sit him the next time that Jake and Peyton wanted to spend some alone time together.
Haley put Ryan down for his nap on a blanket in the living room before she joined Nathan in the kitchen. "I think you're doing the right thing about the trade," Haley told him. "I would do the same thing if Julian tried to take Jewel away from me."
Nathan nodded. "I just feel bad for you," he said. Haley gave him a confused look. "After all, you're going to have to be stuck with her as your neighbor again. If she hated Jewel, I can't imagine how she is going to react when she finds out that you have two dogs now."
Haley thought it was sweet of him to be concerned about her. "Well, she is just going to have to deal with it because I'm not moving or getting rid of my dog. And I'm not going to make Brooke give up Roxy either."
Nathan was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. "You seem really attached to Brooke. What are you planning to do when Brooke's social worker comes and wants to take her with her?"
"Well, I'm hoping that Brooke could stay with me permanently," Haley replied. "She needs a place where she is loved. And she has it right here with me and Jewel."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Nathan asked. "Victoria won't be happy when she hears that."
"It doesn't matter what she thinks because she isn't in charge of her daughter anymore," Haley replied. "Besides, Brooke is old enough to choose for herself about who she wants to live with. After all, she is sixteen."
Nathan knew that she had a point. "Ok, but I think you should transfer Brooke out of your class. Otherwise, your students will probably believe that you're playing favoritism."
"So you shouldn't be Lucas's basketball coach then?" Haley teased him.
Nathan was about to defend himself when he realized that she was joking. He gave her a smile as he gathered his stuff up. "Well, I'm going to go and see how Andy and Lucas are doing with the café. Are you going to be okay with the baby by yourself?" Haley gave him a grateful smile before she nodded her head. They then exchanged good-byes before he quietly went out the front door.
Haley then started to work on her lesson plan for the new school year. She was able to get a couple of weeks worth done in before she heard Ryan crying from the other room. She had almost forgotten that he was there.
After she fed and burped him, she started rocking him back to sleep. As she quietly sang him a lullaby, she heard the front door open. She greeted Brooke and Millie as they came into the foyer. Millie gushed over the baby while Brooke didn't even acknowledge him. However, she watched as Haley gently handed the baby over to Millie.
Millie couldn't help but smile down at the baby. "He is so adorable," she said. "What is his name again?"
"His name is Ryan," Haley replied before she turned to Brooke. "Do you want to hold him next?" she asked.
Brooke shook her head. "No, that's fine," she replied as she went to the kitchen. Haley excused herself before she followed her into the room. Brooke didn't even look at her. However, she knew that she was there. "I already know what you are going to say. You are going to say that I shouldn't blame an innocent little baby for what my mom did to me, right?" she asked. Haley didn't have a chance to respond as Brooke turned to her. "Nobody knows what my life has been like. You, Lucas and Coach Scott all grew up in loving homes. So don't give me a lecture about what I should feel."
"I wasn't planning to," Haley replied. Brooke was surprised. "I know you are angry and upset at the world for ignoring you when you needed help the most, but remember that we're here for you now."
Brooke didn't answer at first. "I'll be playing with Roxy if you need me," she told her before she left the room.
Haley let out a heavy sigh as Millie came into the room with Ryan. She saw her teacher's concerned face. "Please don't be offended, Ms. James," Millie told her as she handed the baby back to Haley. "Brooke is worried that the nightmare with her mom still isn't over. To be honest, Marvin and I aren't convinced either. Is it over yet?"
Haley wanted to assure her that it was over, but her gut feeling told her that Victoria wasn't through with her yet. "I don't know," she admitted.
The next morning, Haley was attending to Ryan when she heard the doorbell ring. She frowned as she looked at the clock. She wasn't expecting Peyton and Jake for another hour. She turned to Ryan. "Your mommy and daddy are early," she told him. She gently picked up Ryan and carried him as she went to the door. To her relief, it wasn't Peyton and Jake. Instead, it was a woman with long blonde hair. Haley had a feeling that she knew who it was. "Are you Deb Lee?"
Deb nodded as Haley let her into the foyer. Haley introduced herself and little Ryan before she put him in the crib in her bedroom that she had bought a few weeks ago. She then went back downstairs where she acted as hostess before they got down to business.
"I do appreciate you taking Brooke into your home for the holidays," Deb told Haley. "I do hope she wasn't too much trouble." Haley was about to respond when Deb didn't let her interrupt her. "I don't mean that in a bad way, Ms. James. I just know how crowded a house can get with all of the family members there."
"Brooke was a little overwhelmed at first," Haley admitted. "But she was able to get comfortable and enjoy herself." There was a short pause before she spoke. "I know she was supposed to go with you today, but I was wondering if I could be allowed to become her permanent guardian. She really needs a place where she can have discipline, guidance and most importantly, love."
Deb let out a heavy sigh. "I was afraid this was going to happen. I should have known that you would get too attached to her and you wouldn't let her go, but you have to. I don't want you to lose your job because you went up against Victoria Davis."
Haley couldn't believe her ears. "What the hell is it with you people?" she demanded. "You are supposed to keep kids safe from their abusive parents, but I guess teenagers don't count, do they?"
"That's not true," Deb assured her. "I've been with Brooke every step of this long process of trying to make sure she is safe from her mother. I care about her. If I didn't care about her, I wouldn't be letting my fiancé pretend to date Victoria to try and expose her for the monster that she is."
"So Dan Scott really isn't into Victoria?" Haley asked. Deb was about to ask when Haley explained how she had found out. "Brooke was walking my dog the other day and found you two coming out of Whitey's house, not being too discreet in showing your relationship." Deb groaned as Haley continued. "If you don't mind me asking, why were you two at Whitey's house?"
"Whitey is my adoptive father," Deb told her. "Dan and I were visiting him for the holidays."
"That's funny because Nathan never mentioned Whitey having children or even adopted children," Haley said confused.
"I'm not surprised," Deb replied. "Our family loved our privacy. And ever since my mom died, my dad doesn't really like to have visitors. So my brother Cooper and I only visit during holidays and on birthdays." She then changed the subject. "Anyway, Dan is hoping by dating Victoria, he will be able to get some evidence that she is hurting Brooke."
"If you really think that Victoria will slip up and tell him that she hates her daughter, I think you need a new plan. Victoria won't admit that she is abusing Brooke. Even if he did, she will be able to cover it up. After all, she has friends in the police department," Haley replied.
Deb let out a heavy sigh. "I know. That's why I've had a hard time being able to keep Brooke away from her mother. For years, there have been reports against her for suspected child abuse. But there is always some excuse or another for the judge to let her go and Brooke goes back to her. So that's why I asked for Dan's help. I want to put her away once and for all."
"That's all I'm trying to do too," Haley replied. "I promised Brooke that I would keep her safe from Victoria. And I intend to keep that promise, no matter what the consequences are. What the hell could she do to me besides fire me from my job?"
"You don't want to know," Deb said. Haley then realized that Victoria was willing to do anything to make sure nobody knew her secret. "My suggestion is to let me and Dan take care of this, okay? We have everything under control."
"So what is going to happen to Brooke then?" Haley asked anxiously. "Because if you put her in a group home or a foster home, she will run away. Then I'm sure she will get into even more trouble than she is in now."
"I'm sorry, Ms. James," Deb said. "But she can't stay with you right now. Victoria is already going to be on your case when you return to school. It will make things even worse when she finds out that Brooke is living with you."
"What about Nathan and Lucas next door?" Haley suggested. Deb was about to protest when Haley didn't let her respond. "It would be only temporary and it would only be until you can put Victoria behind bars."
Deb didn't respond for a moment. She finally spoke as Haley held her breath. "Talk to all of the parties involved and make sure it's ok with them. Have Mr. Scott call me with his decision as soon as possible." Haley squealed in delight. She thanked her as she saw her to the door. Deb stopped and suddenly turned around to face her. "I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about me and Dan. I don't want Victoria to get word that Dan is cheating on her." Haley nodded understandingly. They then exchanged good-byes before Deb walked out of the house.
